Before record-breaking rainfall and devastating flash flooding forced the cancellation of the final day of the Wisconsin State Fair on Aug. 10, a total of 892,968 people passed through the gates over the scheduled first 10 days of the fair.
In 2024, a record 1,136,805 people came out to the State Fair grounds for the full 11-day schedule, up from the previous record of 1,130,572 in 2019.
Torrential rains and flooding also led to an early closure of the fair on Aug. 9.
As flood recovery in the area continues, dates for the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair have been released: Aug. 6-16.
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“Our team, vendors, exhibitors, and of course, our fairgoers look forward to the 11 days of State Fair all year long, and to have that cut short by a 1,000-year-rain event is heartbreaking,” Wisconsin State Fair Park CEO Shari Black said. “While the end of this State Fair is not what we had hoped for, the 10 days that we came together to celebrate Wisconsin was truly unforgettable.”
Flood recovery efforts at the fairgrounds and throughout the city of West Allis are ongoing as Wisconsin State Fair crews are busy preparing State Fair Park for the Milwaukee Mile 250 race taking place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23-24.
Meanwhile, State Fair officials have developed an exchange program for tickets and vouchers from the Aug. 10 canceled fair day to be swapped out for the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair. Updates on the exchange program can be found on the Wisconsin State Fair’s website.
Didn’t get your cream puff fill? This Friday, Aug. 22, patrons are invited to the Original Cream Puffs drive-in from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Cream puffs will be available at the Dairy Building’s north pick up windows. Fairgoers are welcome to use their unused 2025 cream puffs vouchers at this special event or to pre-order here. Those who can’t make the Friday drive-in event can make a pit stop at the Milwaukee Mile 250 this weekend and pick up cream puffs from the to-go location on Grandstand Avenue.
More 2025 State Fair Statistics:
- 330,000 – Cream puffs made in the newly renovated Dairy Building
- 31,855 – Potatoes served to fairgoers
- 81,659 – Trips down the Giant Slide
- 10,676 – Competitive exhibits judged, with thousands of these exhibits showcase in Grand Champion Hall, including a record number of quilt entries displayed in the rafters.
